Hands of Red Clay
Sophia crafted the hands of red clay:
For years the hands rested on a shelf
Some surmised the clay was dug
The hands were crafted of red clay:
hours of cultivation perfected them
before kiln dried, manicured, and baked again.
next to porcelain figurines and pottery pieces.
Sofia adored the hands of red clay
allowed her students to critique
but never handle them.
Many a pupil came and went
each intrigued by its veins and lifelines
palms and knuckles
nails and cuticle
but none exact in finding the uniqueness
which made them untouchable.
from an ancient Indian burial ground
others were convinced the creation was molded
from the hands of her late husband
while still another camp concluded
that the blood of man flowed inside them.
hours of cultivation perfected them
while years of incertitude
made them incarnate.
